Insane Clown Posse, a Michigan-based rap duo, said they have appealed their recently dismissed lawsuit against the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center that lists some of their fans – known as "Juggalos" – as "a loosely organized hybrid gang."

The suit, filed by the duo, the ACLU, and four fans in January, was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland, The New York Times reported Tuesday. He ruled that the federal government can't be blamed for any fallout from a 2011 FBI report that said some of the group's fans exhibit gang-like behavior and often perpetrate "felony assaults, thefts, robberies and drug sales."

The musicians, who use the stage names Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, alleged that the FBI report infringed on fans' First Amendment rights of free association and expression, but the judge said this wasn't the case because the report "does not recommend any particular course of action for local law enforcement to follow."

In the 14-page ruling, he also emphasized that the report "operates as a descriptive, rather than prescriptive, assessment of nationwide gang trends."

The "ICP" have amassed a cult-like following over the course of two decades with several gold and platinum-selling records. Their iconic black-and-white clown makeup, "hatchet man" logo, and affinity for Detroit-produced Faygo soda are frequently adopted by fans, who also use slang terms coined by the rappers.

"This is not the end. We'll keep fighting to clear the Juggalo family name. While it is easy to fear what one does not understand, discrimination and bigotry against any group of people is just plain wrong and un-American," he said.

Insane Clown Posse, a Michigan-based rap duo, said they have appealed their recently dismissed lawsuit against the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center that lists some of their fans — known as "Juggalos" — as "a loosely organized hybrid gang."